Vehicle wash apparatus

ABSTRACT

A vehicle washing apparatus having a supporting structure over a vehicle wash position in which a vehicle is parked during washing operations. The apparatus includes top brushes movable longitudinally of the vehicle in side by side paths, the brushes being swingable up and down to engage top surfaces of the vehicle as they are moved therealong. Brushes to engage the sides and ends of the vehicle in the wash position are carried in depending relation to ends of overhead outer arms which have other ends pivotally connected to an end of an inner arm which has its inner end pivotally mounted above the vehicle wash position, there being two sets of arms and side brushes with the inner arms in longitudinally spaced relation and extending in generally opposed directions whereby each operate on a respective side and end portion of the vehicle. The apparatus has sprays for detergents and rinsing liquids to direct same onto the vehicle and power means connected to said inner arms and top brush means to effect movement thereof during washing operation. The apparatus has controls, whereby at the end of the washing cycle the top brushes are raised and the side and end brushes swing outwardly away from the vehicle and are returned to washing position in response to positioning another vehicle in the wash position. Each brush structure travels in one direction to scrub its respective portion of the vehicle, makes a return path thereover and moves away from the vehicle at the end thereof which is the end of the washing cycle.

States Patent 1191;

Lieffring VEHICLE WASH APPARATUS [75] Inventor:

Kans.

[73] Assignee: Role-Wash, Inc., Kansas City, Mo.

[22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 205,028

[52] US. Cl. 15/21 D, IS/DIG. 2 [51] Int. Cl. B605 3/06 [58] Field ofSearch 15/DIG. 2, 21 D, 21 E, 97

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,471,883 l0/l969 Ennis15/21 D 3,638,265 2/1972 Fuhring 15/21 D Primary Examiner-Edward L.Roberts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishburn, Gold & Litman 57 ABSTRACT Avehicle washing apparatus having a supporting structure over a vehiclewash position in which a vehicle is parked during washing operations.The apparatus includes top brushes movable longitudinally of the GordonV. Lieffring, Prairie Village,

[111 3,793,663 [4 1 Feb. 26, 1974 vehicle in side by side paths, thebrushes being swingable up and down to engage top surfaces of thevehicle as they are moved therealong'. Brushes to engage the sides andends of the vehicle in the wash position are carried in dependingrelation to ends of overhead outer arms'which have other ends pivotallyconnected to an end of an inner arm which has its inner end pivotallymounted above the vehicle wash position, there being two sets of armsand side brushes with the inner arms in longitudinally spaced relationand extending in generally opposed directions whereby each operate on arespective side and end portion of the vehicle; The apparatus has spraysfor detergents and rinsing liquids to direct same onto the vehicle andpower means connected to said inner arms and top brush'means to effectmovement thereof during washing operation. The apparatus has controls,whereby at the end of the washing cycle the top brushes are raised andthe side and end brushes swing outwardly away from the vehicle and arereturned to washing position in response to positioning another vehiclein the wash position. Each brush structure travels in one direction toscrub its respective portion of the vehicle, makes a return paththereover and moves away from the vehicle at the end thereof which istheend of the washing cycle.

8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFIEBZBW 3.793.663

- INVENTOR.

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1 VEHICLE. WASH APPARATUS The present invention relates to apparatus forwashing vehicles, such as, automobiles and the like and moreparticularly to an apparatus utilizing relatively low pressure liquidspray and brushes moved along portions of the vehicle to scrub sameduring the washing operation.

In the vehicle washing industry, there have been various arrangements ofstructures having plurality of brushes used with water detergentswherein the brushes are rotated against the vehicle surface to cleansame. In some such structures, the brushes are mounted on stationarysupports and move in and out of engagement with the vehicle as thevehicle is pulled through a passage between the brushes and othercleaning equipment. There have also been other structures havinggenerally U-shaped or arched members extending over the vehicle andhaving side and top brushes movably mounted on the arch and engageablewith the vehicle as the arch is moved longitudinally of the vehicle.Both forms of brush equipment require substantially floor space and alsothere is difficulty in accomodating all sizes of vehicles. Direction ofrotation of the brushes being constant presents difficulties due toinability to engage the surfaces in corners or areas wherein there aredifferent extents of projection of portions of the vehicle.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a vehiclewashing apparatus that eliminates the aforementioned difficulties; toprovide a vehicle washing apparatus having a plurality of brushesarranged in pairs with each brush of a pair moved simultaneously andoppositively to move over a portion of a vehicle and then returnsscrubbing the vehicle surfaces in both directions of travel; to providesuch a washing apparatus within a supporting structure extending over avehicle wash position wherein a vehicle is parked during washing, saidstructure having track members defining side by side paths for top brushassemblies to move longitudinally of the vehicle and return duringwashing operation; to provide such a structure wherein the top brushesare swingably mounted on carriages for up and down movement with powermeans to raise the brushes at the end of the washing cycle to permit thevehicle to pass thereunder; to provide such a structure wherein the topbrushes are counter balanced and the weight thereof controls thepressure of the brushes against the vehicle; to provide such a vehiclewashing apparatus wherein both a front and rear end of a stationaryvehicle receives equal brushing treatment; to provide such a washingapparatus wherein brushes travel in two directions and counter rotate onthe return trip; to provide such a washing apparatus that adjusts toeach size vehicle automatically; to provide such a washing apparatuswherein all the brushes swing out of the way for clear unobstructedentrance or exit; to provide such a structure wherein the washingapparatus may be supported on spaced columns to be free standing withoutdependents upon any type of building for support; to provide such awashing apparatus with a pair of inner arms pivotally mounted above thewash position in longitudinally spaced relation and having outer armspivotally connected to free ends of the inner arm with driven brushesarranged in depending relation into the ends of the outer arms that movealong the portion of the sides and ends of the vehicle in response toswinging movement of the inner arm and outer arms thereon, the arms andbrushes being arranged generally in opposed relation and movable to washrespective opposed portions of the sides and ends of the vehicle in washposition; to provide such a structure wherein controls move the brushinto engagement with the sides of the vehicle at the initiation of thewashing cycle and swing the brushes laterally away from the vehicle atthe end of the wash cycle; to provide such a washing apparatus with thepower means having operative connection with the arms and carriages toeffect simultaneous movement of the brushes during the washingoperation; to provide such an apparatus wherein power means areoperatively connected to each of the brushes to rotate same duringwashing operation; to provide such an apparatus where the control systemincluding a position indicating member which when engaged by the vehicleinitiates the washing operation, said control system stopping thebrushes and members at the end of the washing cycle; and to provide avehicle wash apparatus that is economical to manufacture and use, thatis long wearing and efficient in removing soil from a vehicle surfaceand adapted for a coin operated system so as to be automatic.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustation and example certainembodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle wash apparatus embodying thefeatures of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the washing apparatus where the brushessubstantially midway in a vehicle washing operation.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vehicle washing apparatus with the portionsin the position as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 a is a diagramatic plan view of the washing apparatus andpositioned to receive a vehicle in the wash position.

FIG. 4 b is a diagramatic view of the washing apparatus with the portionthereof in a position after approximately one third of the first pass.

FIG. 4 c is a diagramatic plan view of the vehicle washing apparatuswith portions positioned adjacent the end of the movement in onedirection prior to starting to return movement FIG. 4 d is a diagramaticplan view of the vehicle wash apparatus with a portion shown in theposition in approximately one third of the return movement.

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevation of an end of the support structureand a top brush mechanism illustrating the brush raising mechanism atthe end of a wash cycle. The brush mechanism being shown in broken linesin a position after starting washing operations.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view through the support and an endelevational view of the top brush in washing position.

FIG. 7 is a partial elevational view of the outer arm and side brushdepending therefrom with broken lines illustrating the position of thebrush and support swung out in response to outward lateral force actingthereon.

FIG. 8 is partial elevational view of a side brush support with a windowbrush and drive mounted thereon.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view through the side brush support and showingthe window brush and drive taken on the line 9-9, FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of top spray noz zles, mountingsand operators.

FIG. 11 is a disassembled perspective view of adjacent end portions ofthe inner and outer arms.

FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view through the outer arm swingingmotor. 7

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein,however, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merelyexemplary of the invention which may be embodied in many forms that aredifferent from the illustrative embodiments presented herein, therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claimsactually defining the scope of this invention. The disclosure hereof ispresented only as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention and virtually any detailedstructure.

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a vehicle washing apparatusoperative to wash and rinse a vehicle 2 located in a vehicle washposition 3. The apparatus is particularly adapted for coin operatedinstallation wherein the vehicle is driven into the wash position andstopped, the apparatus taken proceeding to wash and rinse the vehiclewhile the occupants remain therein. On completion of the rinsing, theapparatus stops and the vehicle is then free to be driven from the washlocation.

In the illustrated washing apparatus, a frame structure 4 is suitablysupported over the vehicle wash position. The frame may be suitablysupported from walls of an enclosing structure or the like, however, inthe illustrated structure 4, there are a plurality of spaced uprightcolumns 5 each having a lower end suitably secured to a base plate 6mounted on a suitable floor or other supporting surface 7. The upperends of the columns 5 are connected in pairs by respective transversebeams 8 that extend transversely of the wash position, the columns 5 ofeach pair being spaced apart sufficiently to provide room for theoperating equipment and brushes therebetween to be moved outwardly andprovide clearance for a vehicle to move therethrough. This can beprovided with the columns arranged within a fourteen (14) foot interiorwidth building. The frame 4 also includes laterally spaced longitudinalmembers that provide rigidity, and in the illustrated structure, certainof said members also form tracks for brush carriages as later described.In the structure illustrated, the longitudinal members 10 are ofsuitable structural shapes, such as, I-beams and they are secured underthe cross beams 8 in a manner to provide two pairs of tracks havinginner track members 11 adjacent to and on opposite sides of thelongitudinal center of the frame and outer track members 12 with saidlongitudinal track members connected at the entry end of the frame by atransverse member 13 and connected at the outlet end of the frame by atransverse member 14, the transverse members being suitably secured tothe longitudinal track members to form a rigid structure. To providefurther rigidity, the frame 4 has a longitudinal center member 15extending between and connecting the transverse members 8 along thelongitudinal center line and a transverse member 16 is connected to thelonditudinal member 15 and extends outwardly therefrom to provide aconnection and reinforcement for the track members 11 and 12. Thetransverse members 8 and 16 and longitudinal member 15 are illustratedas box sections and are located in the same plane whereby the trackmembers 1 1 and 12 are secured on the under side thereof.

The transverse beams 8 and 9 have tubular bearing support members 17 and18 respectively fixed thereto and depending therefrom with each havingspaced bearing housings l9 and 20 thereon with bearings in said housingsto rotatably mount tubular shaft 21. The upper bearing housings 19 aresupported on the top of the respective beams 8 and 9 and the lowerbearing housings 20 are supported on the end of the support members 17and 18 and the tubular shafts 21 extend through same with each having apulley 22 fixed thereto above and in spaced relation to the respectivecross members 8 and 9.

In the illustrated structure, the shaft 21 in the support member 17 hasa large wheel or sheave 23 fixed thereon between the pulley 22 and therespective upper bearing housing 19. The sheave 23 and the respectivepulley 22 are of relative size for effecting movement of the top brushesand side brushes, as later described.

Inner arms 24 and 25 have hubs 26 fixed on ends thereof and sleeved onand secured to the lower end of the tubular shafts 21 projecting belowthe lower bearing housings 20 whereby turning of the pulley 22 willswing the inner arms 24 and 25, as later described. The arms 24 and '25extend outwardly to opposed sides of the wash position when in stopposition, as illustrated in FIG. 4 a, the arm being toward the entranceend of the structure and angled to the left and forwardly relative tothe wash position and the arm 25 being angled rearwardly and to theright of the wash position prior to starting washing operation. The arms24 and 25 terminates in free ends 27 and are of such length as to extendoutwardly beyond the wash position in all points of its movement. Outerarms 28 and 29 have ends 30 pivotally connected to the free ends 27 thepivotal axis being substantially vertical, as later described.

Rotary side brushes 31 are carried by the free ends of the outer arms 28and 29. The inner arms 24 and 25 and outer arms 28 and 29 are all at aheight substantially above the top of the vehicle when in the washposition and the side brushes are arranged to wash the sides, front andrear of the vehicle, therefore, the brushes are spaced below therespective arms.

In the structure illustrated, the brush supports each include a tubularupright member 32 with an upper portion secured by flanges 33 andsuitable fastening devices 34 to an upright plate member 35 providedwith spaced bracket portions 36 arranged to receive theouter end portion37 of the outer arms therebetween. The brackets 36 are pivotally mountedon the outer arms by suitable pivot pins 38 spaced from the end of therespective outer arm, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The outer arms haveplates or stops 39 at the outer ends engaged by the plate member 35 whenthe upright member 32 is in normal position and the weight of the brushand structure hold the plate in engagement during any normal operatingforces acting on the brushes 31, the pivotal arrangement and the stopsbeing such that if an excessive outward force were applied to the brush,as for example, the brush engaging some obstruction or a vehicle beingmoved into same, the brush and upright .vehicle or the washingequipment.

In the illustrated structure, the brushes 31 are each of a conventionalvehicle wash brush construction having fibers of synthetic resin securedto a suitable core and mounted on a shaft 40 that is rotatably supportedin bearings mounted in bearing housings 41 and 42 at the upper and lowerends of the upright member 32. The shaft 40 of each unit is operativelyconnected to suitable driving mechanism to rotate the brush and whileany suitable drive may beused, in the illustrated structure, the drivingmechanism is a hydraulic motor 43 supported on the plate 35 and engagedwith the shaft 40 to rotate same in response to hydraulic pressuresupplied through pressure lines 44 and 45 that extend along therespective outer arms 28 and 29 pass the pivotal connection with theinner arm and along the inner arm to the lower end of the respectivehollow shaft 21 and upwardly therethrough where they are connected topressure pipes extending from controls and a source of fluid pressurethat operates all during the washing operation.

Power means is operatively connected between the inner and outer arms toswing the inner arm outwardly away from the vehicle wash positionwherein the washing operation is stopped and to urge the outer arm andthe brush 31 inwardly whereby the brush engages the vehicle during washposition with suitable pressure be tween the brush and the vehicle, saidpressure resulting in a force that is small and permits the brush andarm to swing outwardly if an obstruction is engaged. In the structureillustrated, a reciprocating type of rotary hydraulic motor 47 has ahousing 48 secured to brackets Men the outer or free end S of the innerarm, as 24 and 25. The housing has a cylindrical bore 51 with an axialshaft 52 extending therethrough and suitably rotated in end housingmembers 53 that support suitable bearings and seals. A vane 54 issecured to the shaft and by differential pressure applied thereto, thevane will tend to rotate the shaft in the housing. The housing 48 hassuitable heads 55 extending inwardly relative to the shaft to limit therotative movement of the vane and shaft. The shaft has end portions 56which extend outwardly from the housing which are engaged by end members57 on a yoke structure 58 fixed to the adjacent ends of the respectiveouter arms 28 and 29. The ends 57 are secured to the end portions 56 ofthe shaft 52 whereby the outer arms rotate or swing in response to forceacting on the respective vane 54 of the motor 47. Power is supplied tothe motor 47 through fluid lines 61 that extend along the inner arm andthrough the hollow shaft 21 to a control and source of fluid pressure.Hydraulic fluid is used for applying the force to the motor 46, however,it is found that at the start of a washing operation, it is desired toquickly swing the side brush into engagement with the vehicle to bewashed and to obtain such quick acceleration and movement a source ofair is connected into the supply to the lines 60 to supply the initialswinging movement. This is only a small quantity of air for that onepurpose.

To wash the windows of the vehicle, window brushes 62 are rotatablymounted from the respective upright members 32 above the side brushes31. In the structure illustrated, the bracket 63 is secured to theupright member 32 and extends outwardly atan angle to the line of theouter arm and supports a suitable driving motor 64 which is operativelyengaged with a shaft 65 mounting the window brush 62. While the windowbrush could operate at all times during the washing operation, it isfound desirable that it operate only on the return cycle and that theportions of the bristles engaging the window move upwardly so as toavoid damage to radio aerials or the like. The driving motor 64 ispreferably hydraulic motor supplied with fluid through lines 66 and 67which are connected to branches of the flow lines 44 and 45 of the motor43. The hydraulic fluid is preferably supplied to the brushes wherebythe side brushes rotates in one direction doing the first part of thewashing cycle and rotate in the opposite direction during the returnmovement. This could cause the window brush to also rotate in oppositedirections, however, the lines 66 and 67 to the motor 64 are providedwith check valves and by-passes whereby the pressure line on the returnmovement of the structure supplies fluid to the motor 64 to drive thewindo brush.

To operate the side brushes, a vehicle is driven into the wash positionand preferably there is a guide track 70 along which the wheels of oneside of the vehicle are moved. As the vehicle moves toward the washposition, the front wheel thereof engages a treddle switch number 71opening a valve controlled by a timer for supplying suitable detergentto pipe 72 arranged in an arch adjacent to the entrance end of thestructure and, in the illustrated structure, that is adjacent the endmember 13. The pipe 72 has a plurality of spray nozzles 73 that spraythe detergent on the vehicle as it moves under the arch to thereby coverthe vehicle with a pre-detergent for some soaking as the vehicle movesforwardly. The detergent spray is of a predetermined quantity and it iscut off by a suitable timer.

As the vehicle moves to the wash position, a front wheel engages atreddle member 74 which is operatively connected to an operating circuitthrough suitable relays to energize pumps in the water supply andhydraulic operating systems. This circuitry effects operation of a motor76 which drives a pressure pump 77 to supply hydraulic fluid tothepressure lines 78 and 79 connected through reversing valves 80 and 81to the hydraulic supply for the brush motors 43, 64 and 47. It is alsoconnected to the drive for swinging the arms carrying the brushes. Thisdrive consists of suitable means connected to the pulleys 22 to turnsame through a pre determined arc and then reverse the rotation back tothe initial position. In the illustrated structure, a hydraulic cylinder83 is fixed relative to the frame 4 with piston rods 84 and 85 extendingoutwardly through opposite ends. The piston rods are connected to apiston not shown in the ram to reciprocate therewith. The ends of therods 84 and 85 are connected to a flexible drive member 86 that isoperatively engaged with the pulleys 22. The flexible drive member 86 ispreferably a suitable rope or chain engaging the sheave pulleys 22 withsaid drive member being continuous on one side and extending around thepulleys with the ends at the other side connected to the piston rods 84and 85. With this arrangement reciprocation of the rods effected by ithe ram piston turns the sheave pulleys 22 and thereby rotate thetubular shaft 21 and swing the arms 24 and 25 through a selected arc.

Due to the arrangement of the ram and drive member 86, the firstmovement of the piston rods is toward the entrance end of the apparatusto swing the arm 24 rearwardly and then across the rear to swing therespective outer arm and brush 31 thereon rearwardly thereon along theleft side and across the rear and forwardly a predetermined distance onthe right side of the vehicle. At the same times, the arm is swungforwardly whereby the outer arm 28 and 29 and brush 31 thereon movesforwardly against the left front side of the vehicle and across thefront and then rearwardly on the right side of the vehicle, apredetermined amount, extent of the travel being such that at the end ofthe first movement the brush carried by the arm 28 and 29 will movebeyond the point of first contact of the brush 31 carried by the arm 28,thereby showing that the sides and front and rear of the entire vehiclewill be contacted by the brushes. At the end of the stroke of the ram inthe cylinder 83, the valves and 81 reverse the application of the fluid,reversing the reciprocation of the ram, so as to turn the pulleys 22 inthe opposite direction and return the brushes to the original position.The fluid from the lines 78 and 79 also is connected through thepressure lines to the brush motors to rotate the brushes during themovement about the vehicle and on the return movement, the direction ofrotation of the brushes is reversed. This provides movement by thebrushes so that recessed spots missed on the first pass due to thebending of the bristles will be contacted by the bristles on the returnmovement.

The washing apparatus is supplied with a water supply to spray water onthe vehicle during the washing. The supply is a low pressure spray thatcan be arranged in any suitable manner. However, in the structureillustrated, there are a plurality of pipes extending longitudinally ofthe frame, as for example, there is a pipe directly over the vehicle andsuitable side pipes 91 and 92. The pipes each have a plurality ofnozzles 93 arranged along the length thereof, said nozzles being carriedby flexible ducts 94 communicating with the respective pipes. In orderto assure coverage of the vehicle with the spray, each of the flexibleducts 94 are connected adjacent the respective nozzle by elongatemembers 95 with ends connected through resilient members 96 to arms 97depending from transverse shafts 98. One of the shafts 98 has an arm 99connected by a link 100 to a rotating crank or eccentric (not shown)driven by a suitable motor or power member (not shown) to oscillate theshafts 98 and thereby swing the nozzles 93 to effect distribution of thewater sprayed therefrom.

During washing of the sides and ends of the vehicle, brushes move acrossthe top surfaces to also wash same. And in the structure illustrated,there are two top brushes moving in longitudinal paths and it is alsopreferred that one brush move in one direction over the top portiontoward one side while the other brush moves over the other top portiontoward the other side, the moves being longitudinally of the vehicle inthe wash position. In the structure illustrated, brushes and 111 aresuitably supported on carriage structures 112 and 113 respectivelyarranged to move along the respective tracks 11 and 12 for each of thecarriages.

The carriages have opposed trolleys 114 and 115 each consisting of anelongate member 116 with spaced upwardly extending arms or yoke member117 that extend upwardly and support rollers 118 arranged to roll onlower flanges 119 of the track members 11 and 12 which are preferably ofH-beam structure whereby the flanges extend outwardly and accomodate aroller on each side of the web 120 thereof whereby the rollers movablysupport the trolley structures for movement longitudinally of thevehicle or its position. The members 116'each have side frame members121 secured thereto between the trolley yokes to depend therefrom. Theupper portions of the side frame membersare secured by a rigidtransverse member such as a tubular beam 123 to form a rigid structure.In the illustrated structure, the outer arm 121 extends downwardly andinclines inwardly toward the wash position and the inner arm 122 extendsdownwardly and is preferably bent whereby the lower portion 123 isoffset inwardly permitting the track 1 l to be spaced apart and yetprovide for the lower extremeties of the carriage and the top brushes tobe closely arranged in order to be assured of contacting all of the topsurfaces, but also permitting clearance to pass in the respectivemovements. The arrangement of the carriages are such that the axis ofthe brushes are also inclined whereby the lower portion of the-brushesare spaced only a minimum, the inclination being shown in FIG. 6.,

The lower end of the arms 121 and 122 have bearings contained in bearinghousings 124 to rotatably mount a shaft 125 having fixed thereon betweenthe members 121 and 122 carriage arms 126 and 127 which depend therefromand are of sufficient length and spacing to accomodate a large top brushtherebetween. The brushes 110 and 111 are mounted suitable cores 128fixed on shafts 129 which are driven by suitable motors 130. In thestructures illustrated, the motors 130 are hydraulic motors and aremounted on respective brackets 131 in fixed relation to the outer arms126. The brushes 110 and 111 tend to hang in suspended relation from therespective carriage, with the shafts 125 rotatably mounted in thebearings 124 whereby they can swing and thereby move up and down toaccomodate the various heights of the top surfaces.

In order to provide for a desired pressure of the brush bristles againstthe top surfaces, the brushes are counterweighted by having a pluralityof weight members 132 carried in spaced relation to the shafts 125 onspaced weight arms 133 that are fixed to the shaft 125 and extendtherefrom in a direction opposite from the arms 126 and 127. The weightsand the arms 133 are such that they will swing between the frame members121 and 122 and below the transverse member 123 as illustrated in FIG.6. Also, there are'such that the brush structure is only slightlyheavier and thereby the brush contact with the top surfaces is atsubstantially the desired pressure. In such contact, the brush will bearranged whereby the arms 126 and 127 may approach horizontal as thebrush passes over the top and will then swing downwardly slightly as thebrush contact the radiator or trunk surface.

To retard the speed of up or down movement of a brush and therebyprevent sudden dropping as it passes off a surface, a retarder 134 isconnected between the carriage structure and brush support. In theillustrated structure, the retarder is a hydraulic shock absorber havingone end pivotally mounted on a support 135 mounted on the carriage framemember 122 in up wardly spaced relation to the shaft 125. The other endis pivotally connected as at 136 to ears 137 fixed to and extendingoutwardly from the shaft 125. The shock absorber structure telescopes orexpands and contracts to permit desired movement and retards the speedthereof. D

The carriages carrying the top brushes may be moved in any suitablemanner and it is preferable that top brushes be at opposite ends of theframe structure or at one end of their travel prior to starting the washoperation. It is preferred that the initial movement of of the vehiclewash position or as illustrated in FIG. 4

A, the top brush 110 would be on the right hand side of the vehicle washposition and will move forwardly as the brush 31 carried by the arms 25and 29 moves for-. wardly to pass around the front of the vehicle. Inthis manner, the top brush 110 isforwardly of the side brush carried bythe arms 24 and 28 as it moves along the right side of the vehicle asillustrated in FIGS. 4 B, 4 C, and 4 D thereby eliminating interferenceof the brushes under supporting equipment, as the arms 24 and 25 arethereby always out of the path and provide no interference with themovement of the top brushes and carriages thereof. with The top brushmoving structure illustrated utilizes pulleys and ropes or cablesallaranged whereby the power from the ram cylinder 83 effects all of thebodily movements thereof. The carriage structures for each top brush areconnected to a rope or cable 140 which has one end connected as at 141when the trolley member 116 of the outer carriage frame 121 for thebrush 111. The rope 140 extends therefrom longitudinally of the framestructure under one track 12 and around a sheave or pulley 142 supportedunder the transverse frame member 13. The rope then extends across theend of the support structure and around a sheave or pulley 143 at theother end and under the transverse member 13. Rope then extendslongitudinally under the other track member 12 and is connected as at144 to the outer trolley structure of the carriage supporting the brush110. The other end of the respective outer trolley portions of thecarriages are connected to ropes 145 and 146 that extend longitudinallyof the top frame structure and under pulleys or sheaves 147 and 148mounted on and extending outwardly of the frame transverse member 14.The rope extending upwardly over said sheave pulleys and then towardvthe rear above the frame structure and around pulley blocks 149 and 150and back toward the front end of the structure where the ropes 145 and146 have their other ends secured as at 151 and 152. The pulley blocks149 and 150 are connected to ends 153 and 154 respectively of a rope 155which extends from the block 149 longitudinally to the transverse framemember 8 and then around the pulley 156 and then to the large pulley orwheel 23 where the rope makes a complete wrap therearound and around apulley 157 to the pulley block 150. It is to be understood that theropes 140, 145, 146 and 155 may be suitable, flexible, elongate memberserving to transmit the power, as for example, chains or the like. Alsothe pulleys could be sprockets. With this arrangement of connections,operation of the ram to move the piston rods 84 and 85 relative to thecylinder 83 will rotate the wheel 23 whereby when rotated in onedirection, as for example, counter clockwise, FIGS. 3 and 4 A will applyforce that will pull the pulley block 149 toward the pulley 156. Thisapplies a pull on the rope 145 which is transmitted to the carriage forthe brush 110 to move same toward the front of the wash position. As thecarriage moves, it also applies a pull to the rope 140 which istransmitted through the runs extending around the pulleys 143 and 142 tothe carriage for the brush 111 pulling said carriage toward the rear ofthe wash position. This in turn pulls on the rope 146 operating over thepulley 148 pulling the block 150 toward the pulley 148 thereby pullingthe rope 145 from the wheel 23 over the pulley 157.

On the return movement, the piston rods are moved in the oppositedirection from the cylinder 83, the ropes apply the force to move thecarriages for the return trips. During such movement, the motors 130 aredriven by hydraulic fluid pressure provided from the pump 77 and throughthe lines 78 and 79 which are connected through hoses 158 and 159 woundon reels 161 rotatably mounted on the frame cross member 16 which hosesare connected to flow Iines l62 and 163 on the carriages which havecommunication with the motors 130. The reels are suitably spring loadedwhereby they will pay out the hoses 158 and 159 as the carriages aremoved away from the respective reels and will pick up the hoses as thecarriages move toward the reels thereby maintaining the hoses above thearms 24 and 25 and prevent any interference in the movement thereof.

Any suitable controls for reversing the operation of the hydraulicapparatus may be utilized, however, it is preferred that the valves and81 be solenoid valves connected in a circuit having switches 160 with acontrol arm engaged bya portion of the carriage of the brush when it isat the end ofits washing movement to interrupt the circuit to the pumpand the entire apparatus whereby the structure will remain inoperativeuntil the circuitry is again arranged for operation by coins beingplaced in' a coin control or other main switch operation to bypass theswitch and activate the circuit and the pumps and brushes would thenoperate until reversed and in the structure illustrated, a switchl64 hasan operating arm in a position to be engaged by the carriage of thebrush 111 when'it has reached the end of its rearward travel wherein inposition as illustrated in FIG. 3, this switch causes a valve to reversethe flow of hydraulic fluid, thereby reversing the movement of the ram83 and thereby reversing the travel of all the brushes and reversing therotation of the brushes, the brushes then returning to their originalposition in which the carriage of the brush 110 again engages the switch160 to deactivate the circuitry.

It is desired that the brushes 110 and 111 be swung to a raised positionat the end of the washing cycle to thereby present a free, clear openingfor persons to drive the vehicle into a washing position. In thestructure illustrated, this is performed mechanically with the carriageshaving an arm 165 with one end pivotally mounted on the carriagestructure, as at 166 and a roller 167 on the other end adapted to engagean inclined cam or track 168, the cam 168 being arranged to swing thearm 165 downwardly as the carriage moves to the.

end of its stroke, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The arm 165 is connected asat 169 to one end of an extensible member, such as a shock absorber 170,which has at its other end a roller 171 mounted on a lever 172 dullysupported on a bracket 173 on the outer side arm 121. A spring 174 issleeved on the shock absorber to apply force to extend same and therebyapply downward force on the roller 171 which engages an eccentric cammember 175 fixed on the respective shaft 125. The force of the springand the roller 171 against the cam surface is such that it overcomes theweight of the brush and swings same upwardly and retains same in araised position, as illustrated in FIG. 5 until the apparatus is againactivated to move the carriage whereby the roller 167 will again move upthe cam 168 and permit the brush to swing downwardly.

In operating a wash apparatus such as described, the vehicle is thendriven into the path to the wash position and as it moves therealong ittrips the treddle switch 71 causing detergent to be sprayed through thenozzles 73 toprovide a suitable covering of detergent over the vehiclesurfaces. As the vehicle passes into the wash position, the timingswitch shuts off the flow of the detergent, then the wheel of thevehicle strikes a treddle switch 74 as it moves to the wash position andthe vehicle then is stopped and the control circuitry causes the motor76 to drive the pump 77 supplying hydraulic fluid and also operates thevalves for the water supply to supply water to the nozzles to spraywater on the vehicle as it is being washed. The valves 80 and 81 areoperated for a flow of hydraulic fluid to drive motors for the brushesto rotate same and also supply fluid pressure to the ram cylinder 71moving the piston therein to rotate the pulleys 22 and the wheel 23 in acounterclockwise direction, FIG. 4 A, moving the ropes to move the topbrushes 110 and 11] toward the opposite ends of the apparatus andsimultaneously move the arms 24 and 25 to start bodily movement of thebrushes around the vehicle. At this initial point, air is supplied tothe motor 47 to swing the side brushes inwardly against the vehicle withthe hydraulic force maintaining and engaged thereafter during thewashing cycle. As the carriage is moved longitudinally of the washposition, the rollers 167 move upwardly on the respective cam tracks 168reducing the spring pressure of the spring 174 against the cams 175permitting the top brushes to swing downwardly whereby they will engagethe top surfaces of the vehicle, said brushes being rotated as theymove. ln this manner, water is sprayed on the vehicle and the brushescontact all surfaces thereof as they move through the initial or firstpass over the vehicle. At the end of that pass, the carriage for thebrush lll engages the control of the switch 163 to change the valves 80and 81 to reverse the flow of the hydraulic fluid thereby reversing thedirection of movement of the piston rods 84 and 85 of the ram 83 whichreverses the direction of the movement of all of the brush mountings. Italso reverses the direction of the rotation of the motors driving thesides and top brushes so that their direction of rotation is reversed.on this reversal fluid is supplied to the motors for the window brushesso rotate same whereby they will clean the windows on the returnmovement of the washing apparatus and at the end of the movement, thecarriage of thebrush 110 strikes the control 161 of the switch 160 tointerrupt the circuit and stop all operation. Also at the end of thismovement, the top brushes are raised and the side brushes swingoutwardly against stops 175 on the column 5 leaving a clear path wherebythe vehicle can then be driven forwardly out of the wash position.

The operation of the brushes is such that they engage all of thesurfaces to remove any scum, road film or the like whereby the vehiclehas clean surfaces. Also, the apparatus is such that it can be placed inan ordinary size room, such as a space used for grease bay and fillingstation and it will wash the vehicle in one minute with a minimum ofwater and detergent.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and describedcertain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specificforms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A vehicle washingapparatus comprising:

a. a supporting structure having a frame extending over a vehicle washposition, said frame extending longitudinally relative a vehicle in saidwash position;

b. a spaced inner arm having one end pivotally mounted on the frameabout a vertical axis substantially on the transverse center of saidwash position, said inner arm normally extending to one 7 side of saidwash position, said inner arm having a free end;

c. an outer arm pivotally mounted at one end on a free end of said innerarm and having a free end;

d. a rotary side brush;

e. means supporting said rotary side brush from adjacent the free end ofsaid outer arm;

f. means for rotating said rotary side brush;

g. power means operatively connected to said one end of said inner armto swing same in a respective arc to move the outer arm and side brusharound a portion of a vehicle in the wash position and return said armsand brush to starting position; and

h. a reciprocating rotary power means having one of a housing and vaneconnected to the outer arm adjacent said one end thereof and having theother of the housing and vane connected to said inner arm adjacent saidfree end thereof, said reciprocating rotary power means being operativein response to differential pressure acting on said vane to swing theouter arm on the inner arm and move the rotary side brush into operativeengagement with a vehicle in the wash position.

2. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising:

a. a supporting structure having a frame extending over a vehicle washposition;

b. spaced inner arms pivotally mounted at one end about respective axesspaced apart longitudinally relative a vehicle in said wash position,one of said inner arms normally extending to one side and the other ofsaid inner arms extending to the other side of said wash position, saidinner arms each having a free end;

c. outer arms each pivotally mounted at one end on a free end of arespective inner arm and having a free end;

d. rotary side brushes;

e. means supporting a rotary side brush from adjacent the free end ofeach outer arm;

f. means for rotating said rotary side brushes;

g. power means operatively connected to said one end of the inner armsto swing same in a respective arc to move the outer arms and sidebrushes around a portion of a vehicle in the wash position and returnsame to starting position; and

h. a reciprocating rotary power means for each outer arm with each saidpower means having one of a housing and vane connected to the respectiveouter arm adjacent said one end thereof and having the other of saidhousing and vane connected to the respective inner arm adjacent saidfree end thereof, said reciprocating rotary power means each beingoperative in response to differential pressure acting on. the vanethereof to swing the respective outer arm on the respective inner armand move the respective rotary side brushes into operative engagementwith a vehicle in the wash position.

3. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising:

a. a supporting structure having a frame extending over a vehicle washposition, said frame extending longitudinally relative a vehicle in saidwash position; I

b. a spaced inner arm having one end pivotally mounted on the frameabout a vertical axis substantially on the transverse center of saidwash position, said inner arm normally extending to one side of saidwash position, said inner arm having a free end;

c. an outer arm pivotally mounted at one end on a free end of said innerarm and having a free end;

d. a rotary side brush;

e. means supporting said rotary brush from adjacent the free end of saidouter arm;

f. means for rotating said rotary side brush;

g. a second rotary brush;

h. means supported by said outer arm carrying said second rotary brush,said second rotary brush being above and offset toward the wash positionfrom said rotary side brush to engage vehicle windows as the rotary sidebrush engages vehicle portions below said windows;

i. means operatively connected to said second brush to rotate same;

j. power means operatively connected to said one end of said inner armto swing same in a respective arc to move the outer arm and side brusharound a portion of a vehicle in the wash position and return said armsand brush to starting position; and

k. means connected to the outer arm and operative during swingingmovement of the inner arm to effect relative movement of the inner andouter arms for movement of the brush into contact with a vehicle in thewash position.

4. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 and including:

a. means operative to apply a detergent to a vehicle to be washed; and

b. means supported from said frame and operative to spray water on tovehicle surfaces as the arms swing and the brushes rotate in engagementwith vehicle surfaces.

5. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. said means operative to rotate said rotary side brush and the secondrotary brush are hydraulic motors. I

b. said hydraulic motor rotating the rotary side brush turning same inone direction during swinging movement of the arms in a first directionand turning same in a reverse direction during return swinging movementof the arms in a first direction and turning same in a reverse directionduring return swinging movement of said arms; and

c. said hydraulic motor rotating said second rotary brush operating onlyon the return swinging of the arms and turning said second rotary brushwith the portion toward the vehicle wash position moving downwardly.

6. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising:

a. a supporting structure having a frame extending over a vehicle washposition;

b. spaced inner arms pivotally mounted at one end about respective axesspaced apart longitudinally relative a vehicle in said wash position,one of said inner arms normally extending to one side and the other ofsaid inner arms extending to the other side of said wash position, saidinner arms each having a free end;

c. outer arms each pivotally mounted at one end on a free end of arespective inner arm and having a free end;

d. rotary side brushes;

e. means supporting a rotary side brush from adjacent the free end ofeach outer arm, said means supporting the rotary brushes including:

1. an elongate upright member in depending relation relative to the freeend of the respective outer arms;

2. bracket means adjacent an upper end of the upright member andextending therefrom longitudinally of the respective outer arm;

3. pivot means connecting the bracket means and outer arm in spacedrelation to the free end of the respective outer arm whereby the uprightmember is swingable outwardly in a direction longitudinally of the outerarm;

4. stop means on one of the outer arm and upright member engageable withthe other to limit inward swinging movement of the upright member;

5. a shaft rotatably mounted on the upright member and having therespective rotary brush mounted thereon;

f. means for rotating said rotary side brushes;

g. power means operatively connected to said one end of the inner armsto swing same in a respective arc to move the outer arms and sidebrushes around a portion of a vehicle in the wash position and returnsame to starting position; and

h. means connected to the outer arms and operative during swingingmovement of the inner arms to effect relative movement of the inner andouter arms for movement of the side brushes into contact with a vehiclein the wash position.

7. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 and including:

a. a second rotary brush for each upright member;

b. means on the respective upright member and extending therefrom forsupporting the second rotary brush for rotation on a substantiallyhorizontal axis spaced from the upright member toward the wash position;

c. said second brush being above and offset from the respective rotaryside brush; and

d. means operatively connected to the second brush to rotate same withthe portion adjacent the vehicle wash position moving downwardlyrelative thereto.

8. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising:

a. a supporting structure having a frame extending over a vehicle washposition;

b. spaced inner arms pivotally mounted at one end about respective axesspaced apart longitudinally relative a vehicle in said wash position,one of said inner arms normally extending to one side and the other ofsaid inner arms extending to the other side of said wash position, saidinner arms each having a free end;

c. outer arms each pivotally mounted at one end on a free end of arespective inner arm and having a free end;

d. rotary side brushes;

e. means supporting a rotary side brush from adjacent the free end ofeach outer arm;

fi'means for rotating said rotary side brushes;

g. power means operatively connected to said one end of the inner armsto swing same in a respective arc to move the outer arms and sidebrushes around a portion of a vehicle in the wash position and returnsame to starting position;

h. means connected to the outer arms and operative during swingingmovement of the inner arms to effect relative movement of theinner andouter arms for movement of the side brushes into contact with a vehiclein the wash position;

i. the pivotal mounting of said one end of the inner arms and the powermeans for swinging the inner arms includes:

1. a vertical shaft at the respective axis and having a lower end fixedto the said one end of respective inner arm;

2. bearing means mounted on said frame and rotatably mounting therespective shafts;

3. a pulley fixed on each of said vertical shafts;

4. flexible power transmission means engaged with said pulleys; and

5. power means connected to the flexible power transmission means andoperative to move same to rotate the pulleys and swing the inner armsthrough a selected are.

1. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a. a supporting structurehaving a frame extending over a vehicle wash position, said frameextending longitudinally relative a vehicle in said wash position; b. aspaced inner arm having one end pivotally mounted on the frame about avertical axis substantially on the transverse center of said washposition, said inner arm normally extending to one side of said washposition, said inner arm having a free end; c. an outer arm pivotallymounted at one end on a free end of said inner arm and having a freeend; d. a rotary side brush; e. means supporting said rotary side brushfrom adjacent the free end of said outer arm; f. means for rotating saidrotary side brush; g. power means operatively connected to said one endof said inner arm to swing same in a respective arc to move the outerarm and side brush around a portion of a vehicle in the wash positionand return said arms and brush to starting position; and h. areciprocating rotary power means having one of a housing and vaneconnected to the outer arm adjacent said one end thereof and having theother of the housing and vane connected to said inner arm adjacent saidfree end thereof, said reciprocating rotary power means being operativein response to differential pressure acting on said vane to swing theouter arm on the inner arm and move the rotary side brush into operativeengagement with a vehicle in the wash position.
 2. bearing means mountedon said frame and rotatably mounting the respective shafts;
 2. bracketmeans adjacent an upper end of the upright member and extendingtherefrom longitudinally of the respective outer arm;
 2. A vehiclewashing apparatus comprising: a. a supporting structure having a frameextending over a vehicle wash position; b. spaced inner arms pivotallymounted at one end about respective axes spaced apart longitudinallyrelative a vehicle in said wash position, one of said inner armsnormally extending to one side and the other of said inner armsextending to the other side of said wash position, said inner arms eachhaving a free end; c. outer arms each pivotally mounted at one end on afree end of a respective inner arm and having a free end; d. rotary sidebrushes; e. means supporting a rotary side brush from adjacent the freeend of each outer arm; f. means for rotating said rotary side brushes;g. power means operatively connected to said one end of the inner armsto swing same in a respective arc to move the outer arms and sidebrushes around a portion of a vehicle in the wash position and returnsame to starting position; and h. a reciprocating rotary power means foreach outer arm with each said power means having one of a housing andvane connected to the respective outer arm adjacent said one end thereofand having the other of said housing and vane connected to therespective inner arm adjacent said free end thereof, said reciprocatingrotary power means each being operative in response to differentialpressure acting on the vane thereof to swing the respective outer arm onthe respective inner arm and move the respective rotary side brushesinto operative engagement with a vehicle in the wash position.
 3. Avehicle washing apparatus comprising: a. a supporting structure having aframe extending over a vehicle wash position, said frame extendinglongitudinally relative a vehicle in said wash position; b. a spacedinner arm having one end pivotally mounted on the frame about a verticalaxis substantially on the transverse center of said wash position, saidinner arm normally extending to one sidE of said wash position, saidinner arm having a free end; c. an outer arm pivotally mounted at oneend on a free end of said inner arm and having a free end; d. a rotaryside brush; e. means supporting said rotary brush from adjacent the freeend of said outer arm; f. means for rotating said rotary side brush; g.a second rotary brush; h. means supported by said outer arm carryingsaid second rotary brush, said second rotary brush being above andoffset toward the wash position from said rotary side brush to engagevehicle windows as the rotary side brush engages vehicle portions belowsaid windows; i. means operatively connected to said second brush torotate same; j. power means operatively connected to said one end ofsaid inner arm to swing same in a respective arc to move the outer armand side brush around a portion of a vehicle in the wash position andreturn said arms and brush to starting position; and k. means connectedto the outer arm and operative during swinging movement of the inner armto effect relative movement of the inner and outer arms for movement ofthe brush into contact with a vehicle in the wash position.
 3. pivotmeans connecting the bracket means and outer arm in spaced relation tothe free end of the respective outer arm whereby the upright member isswingable outwardly in a direction longitudinally of the outer arm;
 3. apulley fixed on each of said vertical shafts;
 4. flexible powertransmission means engaged with said pulleys; and
 4. stop means on oneof the outer arm and upright member engageable with the other to limitinward swinging movement of the upright member;
 4. A vehicle washingapparatus as set forth in claim 3 and including: a. means operative toapply a detergent to a vehicle to be washed; and b. means supported fromsaid frame and operative to spray water on to vehicle surfaces as thearms swing and the brushes rotate in engagement with vehicle surfaces.5. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. saidmeans operative to rotate said rotary side brush and the second rotarybrush are hydraulic motors. b. said hydraulic motor rotating the rotaryside brush turning same in one direction during swinging movement of thearms in a first direction and turning same in a reverse direction duringreturn swinging movement of the arms in a first direction and turningsame in a reverse direction during return swinging movement of saidarms; and c. said hydraulic motor rotating said second rotary brushoperating only on the return swinging of the arms and turning saidsecond rotary brush with the portion toward the vehicle wash positionmoving downwardly.
 5. power means connected to the flexible powertransmission means and operative to move same to rotate the pulleys andswing the inner arms through a selected arc.
 5. a shaft rotatablymounted on the upright member and having the respective rotary brushmounted thereon; f. means for rotating said rotary side brushes; g.power means operatively connected to said one end of the inner arms toswing same in a respective arc to move the outer arms and side brushesaround a portion of a vehicle in the wash position and return same tostarting posItion; and h. means connected to the outer arms andoperative during swinging movement of the inner arms to effect relativemovement of the inner and outer arms for movement of the side brushesinto contact with a vehicle in the wash position.
 6. A vehicle washingapparatus comprising: a. a supporting structure having a frame extendingover a vehicle wash position; b. spaced inner arms pivotally mounted atone end about respective axes spaced apart longitudinally relative avehicle in said wash position, one of said inner arms normally extendingto one side and the other of said inner arms extending to the other sideof said wash position, said inner arms each having a free end; c. outerarms each pivotally mounted at one end on a free end of a respectiveinner arm and having a free end; d. rotary side brushes; e. meanssupporting a rotary side brush from adjacent the free end of each outerarm, said means supporting the rotary brushes including:
 7. A vehiclewashing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 and including: a. a secondrotary brush for each upright member; b. means on the respective uprightmember and extending therefrom for supporting the second rotary brushfor rotation on a substantially horizontal axis spaced from the uprightmember toward the wash position; c. said second brush being above andoffset from the respective rotary side brush; and d. means operativelyconnected to the second brush to rotate same with the portion adjacentthe vehicle wash position moving downwardly relative thereto.
 8. Avehicle washing apparatus comprising: a. a supporting structure having aframe extending over a vehicle wash position; b. spaced inner armspivotally mounted at one end about respective axes spaced apartlongitudinally relative a vehicle in said wash position, one of saidinner arms normally extending to one side and the other of said innerarms extending to the other side of said wash position, said inner armseach having a free end; c. outer arms each pivotally mounted at one endon a free end of a respective inner arm and having a free end; d. rotaryside brushes; e. means supporting a rotary side brush from adjacent thefree end of each outer arm; f. means for rotating said rotary sidebrushes; g. power means operatively connected to said one end of theinner arms to swing same in a respective arc to move the outer arms andside brushes around a portion of a vehicle in the wash position andreturn same to starting position; h. means connected to the outer armsand operative during swinging movement of the inner arms to effectrelative movement of theinner and outer arms for movement of the sidebrushes into contact with a vehicle in the wash position; i. the pivotalmounting of said one end of the inner arms and the power means forswinging the inner arms includes: